Norwich City’s squad rallied around David Wagner after a difficult week, and Ashley Barnes dedicated their win at Stoke to the Canaries' head coach.

Wagner was forced to return to Germany in the second half of the week to be with his wife during surgery, missing City’s final preparations for their Championship clash in Staffordshire.

He only arrived back in the UK on Saturday morning, but led City to their first away win since January, helping them build a three-point cushion over nearest play-off contenders Hull.

Barnes was delighted to hand Wagner, who has found himself under immense pressure at points throughout this season, a victory after what he has endured in recent days.  

“He has been through a difficult period with his family this week, so it was nice to rally around him, and we all did it for him today,” Barnes said.

“Criticism is part of football, and we all have to take it at some stage. Luckily enough, we are all together, and we know how good we are as a group.

“In that changing room, all we want to do is send the fans home happy.”

Wagner has defied the odds to lead Norwich on a dramatic uplift of form and transform their Championship fortunes. They have now taken 44 points from their last 23 matches – only Leeds, Southampton and Ipswich have taken more in that time period.

It is a run of form that has helped Norwich rise from 17th in the Championship table to inside the top six – but Barnes knows they cannot release their foot from the accelerator.

“It’s phenomenal form. But we need to keep this run going and keep the confidence and performances as high as possible whilst keeping the demands on ourselves and our teammates.

Norwich Evening News: Ashley Barnes netted the decisive third goal in Norwich City's 3-0 victory over Stoke.Ashley Barnes netted the decisive third goal in Norwich City's 3-0 victory over Stoke. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

“Us older ones have to rally the younger ones and make sure that we’re on it everyday,” he said. “The squad in there is fantastic and the quality of the players are phenomenal.

“We just needed this run. Everyone knows we had a sticky period, but this is the Championship and there’s always ups and downs – that is what this league does to you.

“We have to keep believing in the group that we have. The fans have to keep believing in what we’re doing and what we’re trying to build in our aim to get to the play-offs. That’s what we want to do.”